Repository: UIHistories Project: Illio - 1895 [PAGE 162]

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(Bcncral Hlumni Hssociation

'"PHE first.graduates of the University did not immediately feel the need of an organization, and it was not until 1873 that any effort was made in this direction, d On June 5, 1873, a meeting was called and presided over by C. W. Rolfe, 72, and as a result an organization was formed, with the following officers at its head: President, S. A. Reynolds; vice-president, F. S. Hatch; secretary, C. I. Hays; treasurer, M. B. Burwash. The charter members consisted of all the graduates of the University up to that time. A good many plans were made but not much was done for a number of years. In 1882 a really interesting meeting was held—the first decennial reunion a meeting which is looked back to with much pleasure by all who attended. It was decided at this meeting to make every tenth year a rallying period, and the wonderful success which attended the second meeting of this kind in 1892 attests the fact that it was a wise move. From Minnesota to Texas, and from Washington to Massachusetts the loyal sons and daughters of the University came to clasp hands with each other and to do honor to their Alma Mater. Fullv five hundred old students returned to enjoy the reunion, and to spend a few days amid the old familiar environments. The local members of t he association vied with each other in entertain123

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ing royally all who came, and a meeting most successful in every particular was held. It is hoped that the reunion next June will be no less full of enjoyment to those who attend. The object of the organization is to unite more closely the children of a common parent and to foster the University's interests in all parts of the United States. Of late years, as members of the faculty and of the Board of Trustees, the Alumni have had much to do with the advancement and growth of the University, not only as individual members of the association, but as an organized body. It is a noticeable fact that those graduates who have allied themselves with the organized body of Alumni and have thus kept in touch with the University have been most successful in promoting her interests. While nominally all graduates are members, in reality only those who formally connect themselves with the organization are so considered. To these is sent every summer a report furnishing much interesting information concerning all graduates, and doing more, possibly, to keep alive in them an interest in college affairs than does anything else. Nowhere will the University of Illinois find more tireless workers for her progress or those who have more at heart her dearest interests than may be found in the Alumni Association.